Paid work, chronic diseases, and consumption behaviors among older adults, Mexico 2021

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the associations between sex, age groups, selected chronic diseases, and consumption behaviors among older adults engaged in paid work in Mexico in 2021.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted using data from the 2021 wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Weighted frequencies of diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use were estimated among older adults engaged in paid work. Subsequently, a Multiple Correspondence Analysis was applied to identify proximities between sociodemographic categories, selected chronic diseases, and consumption behaviors.

Results: In 2021 approximately 5.3 million older adults in Mexico were engaged in paid work. Within this population, the highest estimated frequencies correspond to alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and the presence of diabetes. The Multiple Correspondence Analysis identified two main associations: on the one hand, the proximity between men engaged in paid work, the 60–64 age group, and alcohol and tobacco consumption; on the other hand, the proximity between women engaged in paid work and the presence of diabetes. These findings represent descriptive associations between categories, within the cross-sectional and exploratory scope of the study.

Conclusions: The findings show that older adults engaged in paid work constitute a heterogeneous population in terms of specific chronic diseases and consumption behaviors. The identification of differentiated associations by sex and age may contribute to the design of prevention and care strategies targeted at this population group.

Keywords: Paid work; Aging; Chronic diseases; Alcohol consumption; Tobacco use.